The Niagara Triplets the best team(s) in 2006?

[Lil' Lavery]

Originally Posted by Jonathan Norris

I would disagree with you on that one, 25 is the best perimeter shooter, there ability to be anywhere around the goal and still score is amazing. The triplets are more of a short range pound them in' type shooter, They can score from everywhere but are most efficient from in front of the ramp. There are many robots who shoot like the triplets, and even shoot faster (229, 68) but none of them have the all around versatility that the triplets have. once they get into a spot to shoot no one is going to move them, if there is too much defense in front of the ramp, they will zoom around you and shoot from on top of the ramp, or stand back line up and shoot. It's the multiple scoring threat and strong drive which gives them the advantage in any match.

I never said that the triplets couldn't score closer, and I'll admit they are terrific at scoring closer. But when the defense requires it, they can back up to a range and angle that few teams can match, and unload accurately.
At least from what I have seen, 25 doesn't have the same range to do it.

[Dan Petrovic]

It kind of bugs me to see three identical robots. Half of the fun of going to competition is seeing all of the different ways teams solved the problem.

Our team has trouble agreeing on things and we have 20-30 people. How they get 60-90 people to agree on one perfect design stumps me. Maybe they have a few people go off and design, which is what we are planning, I dunno. It's almost as if they saw into the future and saw what the perfect robot looked like.

However, they are targets. After winning 3 regionals and being the topic of discussion on these posts they are targets. If one of them is the only Triplet on the field at the time they will be constantly watched and constantly defended.

If there's two of them, it may be a bit more difficult and nobody will score any points. 229, 217, and 4 has given them their best match. They haven't even faced 25. I can't wait for Atlanta. There are going to be some pretty intense finals.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

If there's two of them, it may be a bit more difficult and nobody will score any points. 229, 217, and 4 has given them their best match. They haven't even faced 25. I can't wait for Atlanta. There are going to be some pretty intense finals.

Would you pay to see 254, 968, and 25 go against the triplets? Or any other three of 06's Shooter Hall of Fame robots?

[Dan Petrovic]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

Would you pay to see 254, 968, and 25 go against the triplets? Or any other three of 06's Shooter Hall of Fame robots?

I would.

That match would be like the series fanale of of a popular TV Show. Everyone HAS to see it.

254 and 968 might get in eachother's way because they both primarily get up on the ramp to unload.

I can't predict an outcome, though.
I haven't seen the Triplets or 254/968 in competition so I wouldn't know how well they drive or how well they can drive around the field. With teams like that, it pretty much comes down to who can gather balls the fastest.

[YonZ]

I havent seen the Cheesy Poofs
but between the Niagra triplet design and 25, 25 wins. Strong drivetrain, effective use of turret and CMU cam, so even when being pushed, they still make like all their shots in. That is one of the best things that could be in Aim High, as it seems that so many are able to prevent shooters by rammage

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

I would.

That match would be like the series fanale of of a popular TV Show. Everyone HAS to see it.

254 and 968 might get in eachother's way because they both primarily get up on the ramp to unload.

Give them WildStang (111) instead. They need a distance shooter and primary floor loader.

[neilsonster]

Seeing as how I only personally attended the two Canadian regionals this year, I'll say that the NiagaraFIRST teams were some of the most consistent I saw. I'd say their strongest points are the tank treads that make it so only the more powerful robots can do anything and their extremely effective collecting/loading system.

Although this might seem like not that big of a deal, the Niagara teams probably had the most effective human-loading design of any other robot out there. Their simple "baskets" were made with an open front-end so that their human player could get nearly every single ball in without having to worry about over-throwing or being too precise. With help from other human players on the alliance there was hardly a single ball wasted since every ball that entered one of those robots generally made it into the center goal. Take a look at any video of these robots being loaded and you'll see what I mean.

Now as far as my favourite robot goes... I loved the Thunderchickens! Their robot just looks so cool and works so well. Fantastic design... especially the Wheel of Doom... I just loved watching that thing being loaded!

[Cory]

Originally Posted by abrockhoff

Having three identical robots seems to take away from that, focusing more on a "let's just win some competitions" attitude, and getting away from what FIRST is really all about, teaching and getting kids excited about technical fields like engineering and computer sciences.

I think you've completely missed the point of the collaboration here.

Karthik and others have stated many times that the reason the 3 teams are working together isn't because they want to make the best robots ever, and increase their chances of winning, but rather that there simply aren't enough resources to go around and sustain 3 independent teams. By collaborating on one robot design, all 3 teams are able to be inspired by FIRST, and spread the word to other teams. Without the collaboration, there would be far fewer kids reached.

[robodude03]

Originally Posted by InfernoX14

I would.

That match would be like the series fanale of of a popular TV Show. Everyone HAS to see it.

254 and 968 might get in eachother's way because they both primarily get up on the ramp to unload.

I can't predict an outcome, though.
I haven't seen the Triplets or 254/968 in competition so I wouldn't know how well they drive or how well they can drive around the field. With teams like that, it pretty much comes down to who can gather balls the fastest.

I have had the pleasure of seeing 968 in action at the Los Angeles Regional as a volunteer there. In terms of picking up balls they were proficient to say the least, but they concentrated on HP loading primarily. Although they were stopped in qualifying matches more than once, the alliance won it out in the finals.

I also was able to see 25 in action as well at the Las Vegas competition. Our team, 399, went up against them several times in qualifying and in the semi final matches. There shooter was incredible to watch, but not unstoppable. Our alliance, along with 1027, was able to prop themselves up along the ramp at an angle and block 25 from making shots. We would just have to drive back and forth along the ramp to block the shots. Ultimately, one would almost have to play total defense on these guys to win. It was an exciting match to say the least. Anyhow I believe, 968, 25, 254 and other elite teams will ultimately make it to the finals in their divisions. It will be interesting to see what develops from there. You can count on me watching there matches.

[Corey Balint]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

At least from what I have seen, 25 doesn't have the same range to do it.

From what everyone has seen during the competition...that would be correct.

[nuggetsyl]

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

From what everyone has seen during the competition...that would be correct.

Now that we are headed to nationals we will hold nothing back. There are things we still have not show the at first comps yet because of all the press we have been getting. I will give you one hint though. we did it in a pratice match in las.

shaun

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by nuggetsyl

Now that we are headed to nationals we will hold nothing back. There are things we still have not show the at first comps yet because of all the press we have been getting. I will give you one hint though. we did it in a pratice match in las.

shaun

I wasn't at Vegas but let me guess. You are going to start using your downward arc range. Since all your shots I have seen are close range upward arcing shots there must be a long range downward arcing shot that will make it. Do you decrease your firing rate for these shots?

[Dylan Gramlich]

Originally Posted by hoorayforpink

the triplets are amazing.....the ataunomous mode is just plain scary

our auto mode is just as good and probably better...in my opinion

[Starke]

Originally Posted by YonZ

I havent seen the Cheesy Poofs
but between the Niagra triplet design and 25, 25 wins. Strong drivetrain, effective use of turret and CMU cam, so even when being pushed, they still make like all their shots in. That is one of the best things that could be in Aim High, as it seems that so many are able to prevent shooters by rammage

i agree with you except on one point. if you sit in front of 25 you can block their shooting while you can not do that with the triplets. meaning that a 5 foot high robot can block 25 and not the triplets. i could be wrong but i am pretty sure that i am right.

[Starke]

Originally Posted by Dylan Gramlich

our auto mode is just as good and probably better...in my opinion

Sparx hands down were the best at the Finger Lakes Regional. I think the problem with 1126 is they only went to this regional and it was not webcast. So, many people did not see this team. Ill warn everyone out there that is going to nationals that 1126 has an awesome robot as well.